It’s Monday, and we are moving into the 12 days of Christmas this next week. No, you haven’t missed it yet. This week, I will focus on the Christmas holiday with some fun facts and, as always, a practical application, as this is about your everyday walking-around kind of life. So, let’s get started with some words of encouragement!
Eleven Other Days of Christmas?
What do the 12 Days of Christmas mean? I thought the 25th was Christmas Day. If there are 12 days of Christmas, what are the other 11?
The 12 days of Christmas is actually the period of Christmas that marks the time between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. One of my favorite Christmas shows is The Little Drummer Boy (1968) where the Magi and the Bethlehem Star are featured. Also one of my favorite Christmas songs is The Little Drummer Boy by King and Country. Take a moment to listen…
Matthew 2:1-2 NIV
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
It Starts on Christmas Day
The 12 days of Christmas actually begins on December 25 (Christmas). And it runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes called Three Kings’ Day). The four weeks preceding Christmas are known as Advent, which begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on December 24.
That Is An Expensive 12 Days
So the fun song, the Twelve Days of Christmas, gives some meaning to a song with crazy gifts. The gifts by the way, in today’s value, add up to $49,263. Just 3 years ago it was $38,993.59 and they were up another $2500 over this past year. Here’s a great parallel to the gifts:
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
10 Lords a-leaping = the ten commandments
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
8 Maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes
7 Swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
6 Geese a-laying = the six days of creation
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,” which gives the history of man’s fall from grace
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope, and Charity, the Theological Virtues
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
And a partridge in the pear tree. This represents Jesus Christ.
I hope this has been some fun and encouraging information for you. As we lead up to Christmas Day, prepare your heart. Let us see how we can apply what this season is about regarding our businesses and work, our families, and even more importantly, our own lives.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good like medicine. So Merry Christmas!
Challenge of the Day:
Follow the little drummer boy, the Christmas Star, and your heart to the biggest gift of all, the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s look forward to the celebration of that on Christmas day. It’s a gift that gives for all of eternity. So be it!
Other Christmas Blog Posts:
